A Super School Year

The summer draws near an end, and a new school year is upon us. I can’t help but reflect on a summer filled with what seemed like endless superhero movies. Back in my earlier years, a summer like this would have been as sweet as Peter Parker getting a love letter from Mary Jane. But averaging $50 per film (for a family of four) felt more like Superman taking a bath in kryptonite. Trying to find the good in everything, I figure kids can get more out of these movies than just thrills and two hours of entertainment. There are actually great lessons from this summer’s three major superhero films, to help returning students have a “super” school year.

The Avengers.

Lesson: Get the Right Team Around You.

Each of the Avengers had individual powers or skills, but alone, they would not have been able to defeat the enemy and claim victory. They needed help. They needed each other. Once they discovered that, they were stronger. This school year, evaluate who’s around you. Are they helping you move forward or hindering you? Are you helping them? Having the right people around is crucial to a productive school year. If you have people around you who drag you down, the year will be miserable. The right people can push you to do things far greater than you would do alone. Hang with your friends, but also make it your mission to meet someone new. Make sure they are on the same team, headed in a positive direction, and see what God does with that new friendship. Who knows? You and that person could one day change the world.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Lesson: Be responsible with your gift.

With great power comes great responsibility…oh, wait, that was the other Spidey-series’ tag line, but it still applies! Peter Parker had a gift that enabled him to do what no other person could do. He had a responsibility to use that gift to help his fellow man. As a student this school year, seek ways to utilize what God has given you–your intelligence, your talents, even your humor and your creativity can help others. You are uniquely created by God and no one can do what you do, the way you do it. Work with what you have, be the best you can be, and serve someone else along the way.

The Dark Knight Rises

Lesson: Even When You’re Down, Get Back Up

My personal favorite of the superhero movies this summer, Bruce Wayne discovers he can’t hide and not be Batman. He had experienced loss and disappointment and wanted to sulk, but life didn’t let him sit around. At one point in the movie he gets beaten badly, but still makes his way back. As a student, every day of the 2012-2013 school year may not be excited and having you dancing in the halls. In fact, life will happen. There will be loss, there will be disappointment, but choose to approach this year saying to yourself, “no matter what happens, I will keep going”.

The summer was filled with movies about superheroes. Remember, God has equipped you with supernatural abilities through the Holy Spirit. With him, this year can be filled with stories of Super Students, who resist temptation, endure trials, are stronger than they were last year, excelling in every assignment, passing every test, and making the most of the adventure called school. Implement these tips in your school year and you’ll cruise through the year like the Silver Surfer riding through the cosmic sky.